Corset.



PATENTBD MAY 1o, 1904. K. GoLAIs. l

CORSET.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

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WIM/ESSE We@ UNITED STATES Patented May 10.. 1904.

KATHLYN GOLAIS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '759,266, dated May 10, 1904, Application filed May 15, 1902. Serial No. 107,47 5. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

It is the object of my invention to produce a corset that shall be convertible at will from a firm inelastic corset into one that will readily yield. to the movements of the body and expand to permit full and deep breathing'.

It is well known that singers, elocutionists, actresses, and the like experience great diiiculty in being litted with a corset that will hold the proper lines at all times and yet allow of the free movement of the body and of the deep full breathing indispensable to their professional duties. Many such persons find it necessary to change the ordinary non-elastic corset for a iexible or elastic waist or bodice prior to a performance and afterward to reassume the ordinary corset for the receptionroom or street, because of the diametric properties adapted to the one occasion, but not suited to the other. This entails a great amount of time and inconvenience and is then far from satisfactory in results. By my invention I have in one corset embodied to the highest perfection the distinctive features of each, rendering the corset firm and inelastic or yielding and elastic instantly at will. My invention also renders the corset pliable and yielding, so that the wearer may lounge about or resume a recumbent position with perfect comfort.

It will be understood that an ordinary corset of any favored style or shape may be readily altered to embody my improvement at a slight expense. This I accomplish by means of the peculiarities of constructionand arrangement of parts hereinafter set out and claimed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a front View of a corset embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view. Fig.

3 is an enlarged detail view from the inside showing the means by which the corset is rendered inelastic or yielding.

In the drawings, A represents a corset of any desired style provided with the usual stays B, fastened in front by the usual means C and in the rear by the ordinary lacing I). Preferably at each side of the central front I insert elastic webbing E, either as a continuous piece in the form of a gusset or in transverse strips secured to the body portion of the corset at each side, vas shown.

F represents a iiap of non-yielding fabric or other material which is permanently stitched to one side of the corset-body, as at G, and underlies the elastic portion, extending to and beyond the opposite edge H of the corset-body. Upon the free edge of this flap F are secured clasp-studs (I, similar to those ordinarily usd on gloves, and on the inner side of the corresponding corset edge H are the clasps I. In use as a non elasticcorset the clasps I are engaged with the studs J, thus firmly uniting the iiap F with the corset edge H and bridging the opening beneath the webbing Il] with non-yielding material, which takes the strain from the elastic E and constitutes a lirm non-yielding front. l/Vhen it is desired to allow of expansion, the clasps are unfastened, the shirred lace trimming K at the top of the corset gives, and the strain comes upon the elastic, which yields readily to the expansion of the lungs in breathing and lends pliability to the garment, allowing of free movement.

In the back, at either side of the center, I also preferably provide elastic gussets L, which may or may not be provided with underlying' fabric M, stitched at both sides to the corset-body and having sufficient fullness to allow the elastic webbing' full expansion. If desired, I may also provide elastic gussets approximately midway of the central front and the hips, as shown at N, or in any other place where it is desired to permit of expansion of the abdominal portion of the corset, and thus secure pliability. The underlying material of such gussets may be fitted with clasps, as shown in the central front portion, which in many cases is desirable, or the non-elastic material may be stitched at both Jss sides, allowing the necessary fullness to permit the expansion of the elastic.

Ihen the clasps I and J are fastened, thc corsetis to all practical intents and purposes the same as the ordinary stylish article, firmly supporting the form, with the modicum of expansion allowed by the elastic gussets in the back. A singer, for instance, may wear the corset to the theater or reception with the full consciousness that she is modishly dressed and presents a trim appearance, and then when her turn comes to sing or perform other analogous duty she may unobserved loosen the clasp by inserting a finger beneath the bodice without retiring to a dressing-room or requiring the assistance of a maid. i

I am aware that it is not new to provide insertions of elastic in corsets to permit expansion; but in all such cases known to me the elastic at all times sustains the strain and soon becomes flaccid and useless, as well as unsightly. Moreover, I am not aware that any one has ever used vmy convertible feature whereby the corset is allowed to expand when desired and held iirm when desired.

It will be understood that my convertible elastic gusset, having the underlying detachably-secured non-elastic flaps', may be employed with or without the supplemental elastic gussets in other locations, as mentioned. It will be likewise obvious that many changes may be made in details of arrangement and construction without departing from the spirit of my invention as described and claimed, Wherefore I do not desire to be limited to the specific construction shown.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A corset having in the central front portion gores bridged by elastic and an underlying iiap of non-elastic material secured at one side of the corset-body and its free edge extending beyond and removably secured by suitable fastening' means to the other side of the opening, in the central back and inthe abdominal portion other gores bridged by elastic, substantially as described.

2. In a corset, gores extending from approximately the waist-line upward and adapted for the insertion of elastic, an underlying flap orguard of non-yielding material stitched to the corset-body at one side and extending beyond the opposite side of the gore, means whereby the free edges of the Hap are removably secured to the corset and gores formedin the abdominal portion of said corset below the waist-line, substantially as described.

3. In a convertible corset, the combination with an elastic bridged gore or opening extending from approximately the waist-line npward, of an underlying, non elastic flap stitched to one side of the opening and its free end extending beyond the opposite side and secured thereto by readily-detachable fastening means, whereby the non-elastic iap will receive any strain and prevent expansion when fastened, and, when unfastened, will permit of expansion for unimpeded, deep and full breathing, gores formed in the abdominal portion of said corset below the waist-line thereof, and elastic or extensible means for yieldingly closing said gores, substantially as described.

4. A corset having in the central front portion gores extending from approximately the waist-line upward and bridged by an elastic and an underlying flap of non-elastic material secured at one side to the corset-body and its free edge extending beyond and removably secured by suitable fastening means to the other side of the opening, in the central back and in the abdominal portion other gores bridged by elastic, substantially as described.

5. A corset having gores formed therein in the front and rear sections from the waistline upward and in the front sections from the waist-line downward, elastic means normally tending to close said gores and means imposed thereunder detachable from one side for limiting the extension of said elastic and constructed to relieve the tension thereon, substantially as described.

6. A corset having gores formed therein in the front and rear sections thereof from the waist-line upward and in the front sections thereof from the waist-line downward, elastic means normally tending to close said gores and an inelastic flap attached to one side of said gores and carrying on its free end means to coperate with fastening means on the opposite side of said gore, arranged to relieve the tension on said elastic means, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signaturein the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

KATHLYN GOLAIS. lVitnesses:

L. T. GREIST, E. S. BRANDENBURG.

IOO 

